Nutshell (song)

"Nutshell" is a song by Alice in Chains that originally appeared on the band's 1994 critically acclaimed extended play Jar of Flies. "Nutshell" is also known for having opened the band's performance on MTV Unplugged in 1996. This rendition of the song was included on the compilation album Music Bank (1999), as well as The Essential Alice in Chains (2006).^[1]

Reception

Although never released as a single, it is still today one of Alice in Chains' best-known songs. The song is notable for its emotional acoustic instrumentation and its electric guitar solo, as well as its dark lyrics dealing with loneliness, despair, and death. It is considered a staple of 1990's alternative rock despite not hitting a single U.S. Billboard chart or any charts around the world.

Covers

The song has been covered by numerous bands including Staind,^[2] who included a live version of "Nutshell" on its greatest hits album. In 2006, Shinedown and Seether covered the song together.^[3] Adema covered "Nutshell" on its 2002 EP Insomniac's Dream. Corey Taylor, vocalist for the bands Slipknot and Stone Sour, also played an acoustic version of the song.^[4] An instrumental version was recorded by Ukrainian pianist Viktoriya Yermolyeva in the 2000s.

American alternative country artist Ryan Adams released a limited edition cover version in 2011.

Personnel

• Layne Staley – vocals
• Jerry Cantrell – electric and acoustic guitars
• Mike Inez – bass
• Sean Kinney – drums, percussion

References